8 Common Freshmen Mistakes To Avoid In College

8 Common Freshmen Mistakes To Avoid In College

The freshman year in college is very exciting. It is about making new friends, enjoying the newly owned freedom and able to choose only those subjects you like. In short, the first year in college means recreating oneself. Every decision will be exclusively yours. But remember this new freedom can lead you to some troubles. These mistakes can easily ruin the first-year college experience. As a student in college, you therefore need to be careful to avoid getting carried away.

Here, we list some of the common blunders that the students usually make in their first year along with the probable way to avoid them.

1.  Losing the balance between your college life and home life

There are many students who find it very difficult to manage college life with their personal life. In college, they make new friends but they miss the old companions of their school and above all they don’t find any time for their parents. Their life also gets miserable with the weekly tests and monthly assignments given by the professors. Cases of depression and anxiety are not uncommon when the students cannot manage and balance their college and personal life.

Solution

Your mom and dad needs some time with you, but you have assignments to complete. You also need to relish the excitement of the year. How is it possible to manage everything? There exists an easy and effective solution. Follow a routine and set aside a time (at least once a week) for your parents. In the first few days you might think that it is impossible but slowly you will adjust with the new ambience of the college. Divide your time between study, friends, family and definitely for your own self. It is the key to success!

2.  Temptation to skip classes

In the high school, it was never easy to skip classes. However, the liberty of the college will always entice you to bunk the usual classes and get away with your friends. Almost all the college students skip classes and if you skip one class, you will be tempted in skipping additional classes. Definitely, making a habit of skipping classes is not a good idea. You will not only miss the important lectures by the eminent professors but also your attendance will suffer.

Solution

You are not going to suffer if you skip classes very rarely. Even the professors won’t mind as they themselves have bunked classes when they were college students! But before skipping any class, make sure that you are confident to compensate. Get a reliable friend who will carry notes for you. In the coming days, attend every class to balance your attendance. Remember, the colleges of the USA, UK and Australia are very strict about student attendance.

3.  Lost in the sea of freshmen

In the high school, the teachers remember each student with their names. While their every mistake is criticized, the students receive admiration for their hard work too. The situation is completely different in college. You will be a very small part of the large team of freshmen that took admission in your college. Any professor will hardly notice you among the hundreds of the students. You will miss the one-to-one interaction with the teachers which you once had in school. Sometimes your queries will be left unanswered and sometimes when you need assistance, you will not get.

Solution

Try to visit your professors during the office hours but at the time of their convenience. At a time when they face countless faces every day, they will definitely like someone showing their true endeavor with their studies. You can discuss your academic queries and ask for their help if you face any trouble with your accommodation, canteen and other facilities. They will surely assist you. However, avoid obsequious attitude; your professors are very experienced and they can identify the apple-polishers easily!

4.  Spending money injudiciously

All the freshmen tend to be very excited in the first few months of their college life. The first real taste of freedom makes them spend lavishly. At one point, they realize that it is the middle of the month and their pocket is empty. It is generally noticed that the students spend more on buying unnecessary text books, outing with the friends and availing different unimportant facilities available around the college premises. This type of injudicious spending put pressure on your parents who pay for your college education. If you make your own money, this profuse spending is unacceptable.

Solution

For the first month, you can excuse yourself. But from the next month you need to put yourself within a reasonable budget. Restrain yourself from all the unnecessary spending which will put pressure on your pocket. Other than buying too many books, visit the library for references or ask your seniors about the ideal textbook for your subject. You have to pay for the accommodation, laundry, regular meals and obviously the college fees. So, plan your monthly (or weekly) budget accordingly.

5.  Prioritizing social life over college work

The first year in the college is going to the busiest year of your life till date. Intense academic pressure, new schedules, intimidating professors, new social life with new companions and possibly a love life! It is also common that many students forget about their impending exams. Then they score low and regret for not studying according to the plan. These days, the students also spend excessive time over the online social networks which soon become an addiction. These online social networking websites always distract the students from their studies.

Solution

Before planning with your friends, check your schedule, syllabus and routine. Ensure that you have and get enough time to prepare for your upcoming assignments and projects. If you can’t, don’t hesitate to tell your friends that you love to spend your time with them but you really need to stay back that night. Don’t feel bad about it. Remember, you don’t need to be with your friends all day night to prove your friendship. Even a simple coffee break or a gossip break is equally fun-filled and makes your bond stronger with your companions.

6.  Studying the same way

Almost all the freshmen students have the habit to continue their studies as they used to in their high school level. But unfortunately, that effort is not enough for you to maintain the high grades in the college level. The tertiary level studies are completely different from what you used to do earlier. In the undergraduate and postgraduate studies, the students must exhibit their knowledge, analytical skills and their own abilities. Hence, just skimming through the notes will not do as the professors will examine your application mind not your memorizing skills.

Solution

Every student in the initial stages struggles with the college coursework. If it happens to you, don’t worry. But try to change the way you study and prepare for the examinations. Start participating in the classes and study every section in-depth. Visit your library regularly to consult the different books. If you are a science student, do not miss the practical classes. If you get a bad grade, work on your weaknesses rather than sitting gloomily. Study with your friends (group studies are very effective) and study online from the different educational websites.

7.  Attempting to do everything

There are many aspiring hearts who try everything in their first year of the college. Be it joining a gym, dancing, sports, partying and many other activities. But taking part in every possible activity happening in the college is not a good idea. It will exhaust you as well as you will hardly find time for yourself and other important activities. It is impossible to continue the same routine every day like getting up in the morning, running to class, group project meeting, dance rehearsal, football practice and then making the assignments.

Solution

Every person has its own limits and preferences. You too have your own. Make sure that you choose only those activities with which you are passionate about. Remember, you can’t burn a candle on the both ends. Choose only one activity other than your studies and try to excel in it. Try to rest yourself in the weekend rather than going to club or partying. The next week will be equally exhaustive as it was the previous week. So, plan accordingly.

8.  Gaining weight

Snacks from the friends, sumptuous lunch at the canteen, parties galore and finally unlimited food at the dinner of your residential halls - for the freshmen it is definitely a treat every day. As a result, you will gain weight or you become prone to numerous heath issues. The students who fall ill will miss their important classes and cannot attend their curricular activities. You will not even have your parent’s care. So, all the freshmen needs to careful before gorging on all types of food.

Solution

The best solution for all the students starting their college education is maintaining a proper lifestyle. When you are in the college, maintain a healthy diet every day rather than living on fast food. Take care of yourself and keep the necessary medicines with you. Your college may be distant far from your home where the climate will be completely different. Don’t forget to take adequate measures like winter apparel (if it is cold), rain coats and umbrellas (for tropical monsoon).

These are the main issues which the first year collegiate faces. Take the advices given to you so that you don’t feel miserable when you land in a completely different world of college education. Don’t worry if you make some other mistake not listed over here. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them. In the college you will experience what actual life is all about.

In the end, don’t be anxious or apprehensive about the college life because of the mistakes that you can make. Have fun with your friends and enjoy your first year in the college. But keep everything within your control, don’t be over-enthusiastic and be smart!

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